Connecticut should end partisan system for local elections

Seven of the biggest names in city politics and local government are competing in one epic Democratic primary for New Haven mayor Sept. 10. And because New Haven is basically a one-party city, unlikely to field a Republican candidate, the winner of the Democratic primary will be the next mayor of New Haven. Or will they? 

East Rock Alderman Justin Elicker has already said that he plans to run as an independent in the November general election if he loses the Democratic primary. Former city economic development director Henry Fernandez has requested petition paperwork that would allow him to do the same. 

Democrat Jeffrey Kerekes did it after losing in the Democratic primary two years ago, and he came close to pulling off a huge upset in November 2010 against powerful incumbent Mayor John DeStefano, something that likely factored into DeStefanos decision to step down this year. 

In fact, since state Sen. Toni Harp and state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield are the only candidates to rule out running as an independent should they lose the primary,We offer a wide variety of high-quality standard solarlantern and controllers. we could see as many as four or five people on the primary ballot show up again in the general election. 

And stepping back a bit, what is partisan about the operational issues facing a city or school district? Does the philosophy of the Democratic Party, or Republicans, or Greens, or independents, really make a difference when it comes to fixing problems with parking meters, or responding to a blizzard? In fact, the more local the issue - take education reform, for example - the sharper the divisions youll find within the Democratic party. 

Other states approach it differently. In Maine, local elections are nonpartisan. Everyone runs in a single election for local boards and commissions, and no party affiliation is listed on the ballot next to their name. Sometimes, campaign on an informal ticket together that is associated with political party. But more often, alliances and campaigns are built around their stance on local issues - supporting an increase in the school budget, for example, opposing a road-widening project, or pledging to eliminate patronage. 

Either way would be preferable to the closed primary-and-meaningless-general-election system that exists in Connecticuts larger cities. New Haven is already getting around that system on its own because the stakes are too high. 

Unfortunately, its unlikely that such a change will make it onto the Connecticut General Assemblys increasingly one-party agenda. Theres little incentive to consider better government and improvements to democracy when the first priority is holding on to political power. 

While most of the 70 club members are pilots of model aircraft,Did you know that earcap chains can be used for more than just business. there are two in the club who really know what its like to fly on a non-toy scale: Bob Huntington is a professional airline pilot, while Steve McCarter was a Maryland State Police helicopter pilot for 21 years. 

My son, who is also a member of this club, got me interested in this after I stopped flying for about 15 years, McCarter said. I think this is harder than flying the real thing, because you have to put yourself in the cockpit, but youre on the ground. You have to practice, practice and practice to get good at this. 

Ive been around this club since the 60s, said member Lester Morris. My dad, Clifford, was one of the original charter members of this club. It was started in 1957. 

Like others, Morris comes to the field often to fly the skies. A former automotive and truck mechanic, he is regarded as one of the top pilots by members of the club and routinely teaches folks how to fly radio-controlled aircraft. Even longtime members ask Morris for guidance from time to time. 

Some time back, I called to help me fly the plane I had at the time, Murray said of his $400 radio-controlled model. I said, Lester, do you want to check my plane out for me? And he said, Yes, Id be only too glad to check out this plane for you. So Lester took the plane and started flying it. The plane took off straight out in front of him. Lester kept holding the transmitter up higher and higher and higher. And he kept hollerin, Come back, come back, come back! Plane never did come back. 

On Friday, those who loved Booker T. Washington High School stood, applauded and shed a few tears in gratitude for the resurrection, as one former student put it, of the last building of the once sprawling campus near Wheeler Hill, a neighborhood that had been theirs. 

If you could make it here,Bringing plasticcard mainstream. to Booker T. Washington, everything would be all right, said the Rev.Our home power monitors and energy saving devices help reduce energy use in your chipcard on your electricity bill. Solomon Jackson Jr.About buymosaic in China userd for paying transportation fares and for shopping., a 1971 graduate who contributed $1.7 million from his $260 million Powerball lottery winnings in 2009 toward preserving the auditorium building. It fed you physically. It fed you spiritually. It fed you education, for life. 

Jackson was among almost 500 people who jammed into the revitalized auditorium Friday for an invitation-only dedication. The event was sponsored by the University of South Carolina, which bought the campus in 1974 and has demolished most of its buildings. The nearly 34,000-square-foot auditorium building has remained for performing arts and other classes. Now, portions will be available to public organizations upon request.